Keeping buildings clean key - ZIEA

By MUKOSELA KASALWE THE cholera outbreak is a clarion call for proper management of buildings whether residential or commercial by ensuring the highest levels of sanitation are adhered to, says the Zambia Institute of Estates Agents (ZIEA).

ZIEA president Mr Logan Nyasulu said risk management in property management should include what could possibly go wrong in regard to health and safety.

He said exposure to dirt and unsanitary conditions must invariably be seen as a potential ingredient to the outbreak of diseases such cholera.

Commenting on the outbreak of cholera in Lusaka yesterday, Mr Nyasulu said Chapter 295 of the Laws of Zambia entitled “Public Health Act” had very specific provisions that related to the maintenance of public welfare as far as health was concerned.

He said keeping a building clean, tidy and habitable was a critical part of property management.

“The cholera scourge that has invaded Lusaka is a call to property owners and property managers. It is the property manager’s job to ensure that every building under his or her care is managed in compliance with such statutory provisions,” he said.

He said the outbreak of cholera was a loud reminder to the Lusaka City Council and other local authorities that keeping a building clean and tidy was a critical function that could only be neglected at great peril.

Mr Nyasulu said this would include ensuring that sanitary facilities including running water were available and in working condition.

He urged property managers not only to anticipate this risk but also take decisive preventive action.

Mr Nyasulu said the current outbreak was a reminder that there should be no compromise when it comes to health and cleanliness.

He said the careless management of rubbish and other waste effectively needed to come to a stop.

Mr Nyasulu said that lease agreements should have very clear provisions relating to maintaining the highest standards of hygiene and that no compromise or non-compliance must not be tolerated.

He said the efforts that the government has so far undertaken were commendable and should be supported.

Mr Nyasulu expressed hope that all stakeholders would join in this noble effort of keeping Lusaka city clean.

He anticipated that this effort was but the beginning of a programme of consistently keeping the city clean.

Mr Nyasulu said he believed that all property managers would play their role in ensuring that the highest standards of hygiene were maintained in every building.